Glacier Peak
3 weeks ago
Glacier conditions are snow-covered at times
1 this month · 18 reports
Rock Lake
Central Cascades
updated 1 week ago
Rock Lake is currently snow-free, but the trail presents significant challenges, including numerous large blowdowns and boulder fields, with some route finding required closer to the lake itself. The road access is mixed: the Foss River Road is recently graveled and in good condition, but the last 3 miles of the Rock Lake Road have deep ruts and are recommended for high-clearance vehicles only, with some reports indicating it's still rough but passable as of September 1. While bugs were noted as an annoyance in early July, more recent reports from September indicate no bug issues. Hikers should be prepared for a steep ascent with considerable elevation gain, described as a solid "hard" level of difficulty, with some hikers opting to turn back before reaching the lake due to the terrain. Despite the difficulties, the lake is consistently described as beautiful and worth the effort.
Generated from 12 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Rock Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The Foss River Road has fresh gravel and is in good condition. However, the final 3 miles on the Rock Lake Road are rough with deep ruts and are recommended for high-clearance vehicles only, as of September 16. A hiker in a Honda Odyssey experienced scrapes from overgrown brushes and loud undercarriage banging on the last mile as of September 7.
Yes, expect numerous large blowdowns across the trail, some requiring scrambling or route finding. There are also boulder fields and steep sections. Some blowdowns can be slippery as of July 27.
No, the trail and the lake are reported as snow-free as of September 16, September 7, and September 1.
Bugs were an annoyance in early July, but recent reports from mid-September indicate no bugs were present September 16 and September 7. A report from late July noted bugs were not too bad and possibly not needing bug spray.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
Central Cascades
This hike is harder than its stats suggest. It's extremely steep and at times scrambly, has numerous large blowdowns, a couple of boulder fields and some route finding nearer to the lake. The lake is ...
Recent2 weeks ago
Central Cascades
#HikeTheStateTried to hike out to Rock Lake today but ended up only having time to get to the vista/high point. Beautiful trail but a solid "hard" level of difficulty (2280ft gain in just over 1 mile)...
Recent3 weeks ago
Central Cascades
Scrambled Malachite Peak, passing gorgeous Rock Lake and Panorama Lake along the way. There are a few more downed trees on the early part of the trail compared to the last time I was up there. Sadly t...
Older1 month ago
Central Cascades
Even though it's only two miles to the Rock Lake, don't underestimate this one! We took a weekday off, were a little anxious about the road closure reported on AllTrails, but were able to make it past...
Older2 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
West Fork Foss River was my plan B hike today after not being able to get to Rock Lake. It ended up being an amazing back up hike. Main takeaways:Bug season seems to be finally mellowing out. There we...
Older2 months ago
Central Cascades
This is for the Rock Lake below Malachite not Rock Lake below Rock mountain. The last trip report is referencing the other Rock Lake posted to the wrong page.HEADS UP: The WTA directions take you to t...
Older3 months ago
Central Cascades
Road to trailhead is very short, but washed out. My minivan bottomed out pretty good, both ways, so I recommend a high clearance vehicle.I counted 7 or 8 blow downs but all are passable. Brush is gett...
Older12 months ago
Central Cascades
Went up to Malachite Peak with Kidz and another friend. We were expecting a little shorter day, but this one is not to be underestimated! The trail is super steep in places, plenty of boulder hopping ...
Older12 months ago
Central Cascades
Very nice trip, as Glen99, Aferrenberg, and I got up to the summit of Malachite Peak. It did take us much longer than what we had anticipated. The road up to the Rock Lake trailhead is in pretty good ...
Older12 months ago
Central Cascades
Mark's reportfrom a month earlier pretty much describes the trail experience to Rock Lake to the point, I don't have much to add.This is not a beginner or family friendly hike. There are scrambling se...